McLaughlin welcomes funding to expand Wild Atlantic Way to North West

SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has welcomed funding from the Irish Government’s Shared Island Unit to connect the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route. €7.6m funding from the Shared Island Unit was announced for the project as part of a tourism marketing initiative.

Ms McLaughlin said the move would be a huge boost to the North West’s tourism offering.

Said the Foyle MLA: “I’m delighted that Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced funding to link the Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route through the Shared Island Unit.

“This is something the SDLP and people in this area have long campaigned for and in fact we included it as part of our proposed Jobs Creation Strategy for the North-West that I launched earlier this year.

“We are at our best when we work together and I approached successive Economy Ministers to highlight the impact this move would have on Derry as a hub along the route.

“I’m very pleased that the potential benefits to our all-island tourism sector have finally been recognised.

“We are so lucky on this island to have some of the most beautiful coastline found anywhere.

“The Causeway Coastal Route is famous for its fantastic views, beaches and seaside towns and villages and it perfectly complements the Wild Atlantic Way in providing people with a fantastic experience while travelling around Ireland, exploring what we have to offer and our wonderful natural resources.

“As the place where the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route meets Derry is uniquely placed to benefit from this link-up and to act as a stopping point along the way for those travelling along the route, providing a first class experience to visitors from around the world.

“Tourism is so important to our economy, bringing much needed investment and jobs.

“Today’s announcement is a real opportunity to grow cross border cooperation when it comes to our tourism industry and we need to grab it with both hands.”